Joplin Library Lease

Business as usual, tonight, for "Joplin City Council" members despite this Monday being part of what many are enjoying. That's a long holiday weekend. Part of tonight's agenda...the new public library on 20th and Connecticut.Council met tonight to approve an emergency ordinance -- to lease the building at 1901 East 20th Street to the Joplin Public Library.You may be thinking -- why does the library need to lease their own building from the city? Mayor Seibert -- has the answer.Seibert: "According to the EDA grant, the city must maintain possession of the library. After the point that that time frame has been satisfied, then, the library will be owned by the library group."It seems simple -- but it can get complicated. The library is required to pay a lease of $1 per year -- for the next 17 years.At that time -- the lease has an "option to buy" for the library -- at a total cost of -- $1.The lease agreement also includes a key element for the city -- the deed to the old library must be transferred to the city.Meaning now, the options can open up for the future of the building down on Main Street.Seibert: "At this point, we're just beginning that process, so I'm sure in the weeks and months ahead we will be hopefully looking at some options for that location."While the old library awaits it's future -- the new one is working to build a future -- not just for the site -- but for the East 20th Street corridor.Seibert: "You know, Range Line, there are not a lot of options on Range Line, that's why we looked at that corridor and decided to give us another option for another commercial corridor, I think that things are falling in place that those options, I think, will begin to open up."Options that continue to expand -- with Joplin's growing population. Along the 20th Street corridor...council members also approved re-zoning some of the residential areas to allow for duplexes to be built...allowing more families to take advantage of the new developments.

MORE TOP NEWS

A Joplin native, Chris first started in broadcasting at age 16 at KSNF-TV in 2004..

Chris joined the KOAM team in 2017 as an Associate Producer. In April, he moved into a full-time reporter position. He spent time from 2008 to 2016 in various retail roles around the region before returning to his passion at KOAM. Chris is excited to continue telling the stories of the four states.
Chris and his wife Amber live in Joplin and have three amazing children.

The man considered to be the world's best-known evangelist...the Reverend Billy Graham...died this morning at the age of 99. He reached millions of people through his crusades. And one of his crusaders...is a long-time Joplin preacher. Reverend Phil McClendon met Reverend Billy Graham at a crusade back in 1973.

The man considered to be the world's best-known evangelist...the Reverend Billy Graham...died this morning at the age of 99. He reached millions of people through his crusades. And one of his crusaders...is a long-time Joplin preacher. Reverend Phil McClendon met Reverend Billy Graham at a crusade back in 1973.

A Missouri lawmaker is pushing to remove vehicle inspections across the state. But not everyone is on board. Representative J. Eggleston proposed House Bill 1444 which would eliminate the need for safety inspections in Missouri.

A Missouri lawmaker is pushing to remove vehicle inspections across the state. But not everyone is on board. Representative J. Eggleston proposed House Bill 1444 which would eliminate the need for safety inspections in Missouri.

Journey Church in Joplin is beginning the process of converting a once overgrown field...into something for its neighbors. A "Growing Hope Garden". For the last five years, Journey Church at 4th and McKinley has had this plot of land. They didn't have any idea what to do with it, until now.

Journey Church in Joplin is beginning the process of converting a once overgrown field...into something for its neighbors. A "Growing Hope Garden". For the last five years, Journey Church at 4th and McKinley has had this plot of land. They didn't have any idea what to do with it, until now.

Twenty different teams flocked to Chanute to play pool. Many of us are aware of the unique abilities of service dogs. Robin Shipley: "They can do CPR, they can dial 911. But, for some, those service dogs do a lot more.

Twenty different teams flocked to Chanute to play pool. Many of us are aware of the unique abilities of service dogs. Robin Shipley: "They can do CPR, they can dial 911. But, for some, those service dogs do a lot more.

We told you last night about the discussions held by city council members in Joplin regarding a new pay plan for city employees. It's one that didn't sit well with everyone. At least at first. When asked about budgeting for raises City Finance Director Leslie Haase made a presentation to council, stating the city just doesn't have the money for pay increases for police and fire, or any other department.

We told you last night about the discussions held by city council members in Joplin regarding a new pay plan for city employees. It's one that didn't sit well with everyone. At least at first. When asked about budgeting for raises City Finance Director Leslie Haase made a presentation to council, stating the city just doesn't have the money for pay increases for police and fire, or any other department.

A work session tonight, for Joplin City Council. One of the items on the agenda, a new pay plan for city employees...which, of course, includes police officers and firefighters. The proposed plan returns the city to a "step" program, with each "step" being a different level for a certain position - and a pay level established for each step.

A work session tonight, for Joplin City Council. One of the items on the agenda, a new pay plan for city employees...which, of course, includes police officers and firefighters. The proposed plan returns the city to a "step" program, with each "step" being a different level for a certain position - and a pay level established for each step.

Icy roads have drivers in ditches... Joplin Police have instituted emergency road conditions as the number of crashes this afternoon began to escalate. At around 2:15 the Joplin Police Department was working 6 crashes at once taking officers away from other emergencies...so emergency road conditions were put into effect. Even heavily traveled roads like US 66 west of Galena saw people sliding off... This truck hitting a fence... MoDOT crews are running t...More >>

Icy roads have drivers in ditches... Joplin Police have instituted emergency road conditions as the number of crashes this afternoon began to escalate. At around 2:15 the Joplin Police Department was working 6 crashes at once taking officers away from other emergencies...so emergency road conditions were put into effect. Even heavily traveled roads like US 66 west of Galena saw people sliding off... This truck hitting a fence... MoDOT crews are running t...More >>

It's a move that's designed to adhere to new regulations and save money. Empire District Electric wants to implement wind turbines and close its plant in Asbury...something that's been in the works since last year. Tonight..the company held a public hearing. The meeting was packed - around 150 residents and city leaders came to express their concerns and support of the project.

It's a move that's designed to adhere to new regulations and save money. Empire District Electric wants to implement wind turbines and close its plant in Asbury...something that's been in the works since last year. Tonight..the company held a public hearing. The meeting was packed - around 150 residents and city leaders came to express their concerns and support of the project.

Could the State of Oklahoma become the latest state to implement a form of what's called "chemical castration" when it comes to certain sex offenders? Evidently...it's in the works. Oklahoma legislator Rick West introduced House Bill 2543 outlining what exactly counts as a "sexually violent offense" and how chemical castration could be the punishment.

Could the State of Oklahoma become the latest state to implement a form of what's called "chemical castration" when it comes to certain sex offenders? Evidently...it's in the works. Oklahoma legislator Rick West introduced House Bill 2543 outlining what exactly counts as a "sexually violent offense" and how chemical castration could be the punishment.